Baby Gifts and Decor

September 13, 2018

I am reposting this from last year, as it is just too great to pass by, and as a reminder to myself to make another with my 2018 calender!

I'll be the first to admit, crafts for Yom Kippur are rarely something I've had time for, as the holiday occurs just four days before Succot, for which I am crafting up a storm. That said, this year I am mending my ways and trying to post at least a few simple ideas for the holiday, as after all, every holiday deserves crafts right? This year I decided to try out some simple recycling craft techniques by creating a few things for Yom Kippur, and I'll be using those same techniques for Succah decorations as well. That is the plan anyway, but I just never know how things will go, as you know once the creative gears get turning, well there is no stopping them!

We are now at the beginning of the new Jewish year, so that means that recycling last year's calendar is not only perfect because well, obviously that calendar is no longer of use, but also because we are now in the period in which we making amends for all the things that didn't go so well last year, as well as giving thanks for all the things that did go well. The completion of a year, and the beginning of new one certainly means that using that old calendar for any recycling craft is meaninful and practical!

February 15, 2018

Here is the perfect home decor item to bring spring into your home, introducing the crocheted flower applique pillow. Hmm, or maybe it is called the pillow with crocheted flower applique, not quite sure, but in any case this one is a winner and I'm so happy that I've actually managed to complete a project that is going to great use in my home! Oh, and of course there isn't really a greater stash buster than this as you can mix and match as many colors as your little heart desires!

I don't know about you, but I'm a bit wary of crocheted pillows as far as wear and tear, not to mention the time involved, so this idea of crocheting flowers and then using them as applique on a woven pillow cover is just perfect. The pillow won't loose its shape and this can be quick or not so quick, depending on the size of your pillow and how many flowers you decide to crochet. Ah yes, and while you are at it, do take advantage of the fact that this is applique, and be sure to use some flowers with lots of depth, like these, as that really truly makes the pillow special.

I've been wanting to try this idea for years with a simple crocheted doily applique, but somehow this one snuck in at the head of the line, and I'm not arguing! Keep reading for some useful tips, and lets get crocheting!

February 13, 2018

Phew, I finally figured out what to do with my crocheted cherry blossom heart! Ta da, it makes a really adorable little crocheted wall hanging, or maybe it is really a vertical garland, hmmm, not quite sure what to call it, but nonetheless it is truly sweet and quite simple to make. This is the kind of pattern that will look entirely different depending on your choice of colors, so go pastel or bright or even neutral, and the results will be a great way to spread the love.

While you are at it whip up a bunch so you'll always have a little homemade gift on hand, ah yes, and while you can't tell from the photos I did actually stiffen this piece with glue to keep it nice and flat, more on that in another post. First we've got to get crocheting, so here we go......

February 09, 2018

Looking for a gorgeous crocheted flower that is fun to make, has lots of plush dimension and looks fantastic? Here it is, the crocheted popcorn stitch flower that could be called a dahlia or even a chrysanthemum. And as you can see from this photo this flower is the perfect partner with the simple 2 row crocheted popcorn stitch flower, and in fact they are siblings!

I do have to say, this flower is unlike most crocheted flowers as it is very plush! So I'd say that the wisest thing to do is to use it as an applique of some kind (which is what I have actually done, project to come.....) or as a raised element in a granny square. A bunch of these crocheted flowers could also look great as a vertical garland, glued to a frame or ring. Whether you have a plan, or not (which is always the case in my creative world) start crocheting some of the beauties and you won't regret it!

February 07, 2018

The almond trees are now in bloom here in Northern Isreal, so it is a great time to whip up some simple little crocheted flowers that can be used in so many ways for spring crafting. Now let me tell you, this little 2 row flower is no ordinary crocheted flower as it is puffy, on account of the popcorn stitch which is used to form the petals, and since I used chunky yarn, these little guys have a depth of around 1/2", which means they make perfect appliques for all kinds of decorative accessories such as pillows, wall hangings, garlands, you name it!

Looking for a stash buster project, this just may be it! These little puffy flowers work up quickly, and of course are a great take-along project. So grab all those little left overs and be sure to put a hook and some small balls of yarn in your bag for using up all those spare moments here and there! Speaking from experience I'd say with these flowers the more the merrier and come to think of it they would look fantastic randomly placed across a coverlet or bedspread, with some areas tightly packed and some with lots of space around them. Sounds dreamy, so lets get started!

January 30, 2018

I'm really not sure how Tu B'Shevat managed to sneak up on me just like that, but that aside, with the holiday coming tomorrow night now would be the time to whip up a few fun crafts and then run to the store and buy as many kinds of fruit (and nuts) as you possibly can to truly celebrate in style! It isn't about quantity but about variety, so go for it! And speaking of variety, with this simple origami fruit craft you really can make a variety of fruit! Think orange paper for an orange, yellow paper for a lemon, green and red paper for apples, and purple paper for a plum!

Now, if you need a quick centerpiece, or something large to hang, go ahead and use the largest paper you can find to make fruit that really make a statement. Solid color wrapping paper might also work if it is thick enough, or simply double it up.

January 19, 2018

How about making a crocheted hearts wall hanging to remind someone that you love them? I made this crocheted hearts and leaves wall hanging using a real branch, to hang in my daughter's room four yeas ago, and while it did sag just a bit towards the end of its run, all in all it was a huge success. Now we are in the process of redecorating my daughter's room, so the wall hanging has come down, but it is still such a wonderful project that I thought I'd share it with you again!

I did spend some time working up some more of these cherry blossom popcorn stitch hearts in new colors, (check them out here, with an additional row too) and I may just remake the wall hanging using those, we'll just have to see how it goes! I've also developed a few crocheted leaves inspired by this one, so stay tuned for that as well, and let me know if you give this project a try!

January 18, 2018

It is now the Jewish month of Shevat, so dear friends it is certainly time to start thinking about crafts for Tu B'Shevat, the holiday which celebrates the new year for the trees. Yes, really, trees have a new year's too, isn't that amazing? While much of the Western World celebrates the tree in December, we do it around February, just as winter is coming to an end and the very first stirrings of spring and re-birth are happening. The first blossoms in Israel (which happens around Tu B'Shevat give or take) are those of the almond tree, whose blossoms are very much like cherry blossoms, so I'd say this sweet crocheted cherry blossom center heart qualifies as a craft for Tu B'Shevat! And of course, you can never have too many hearts!

For those of you who have been hanging around Creative Jewish Mom long enough, you may recognize this heart, as I used it to make a crocheted hearts wall hanging four years ago. The wall hanging doesn't match my teenage daughter's new room decor, but the pattern is still great, so I'm creating with it once again, with a few changes of course!

November 01, 2017

As I'm sure you can relate, once one comes upon a simple DIY with great results, such as my rope wrapped apples, the tendency is to see how else to use the new technique, right? So my friends, I now present to you the rope wrapped wooden spoon, a fun DIY craft that just might add a special touch, or even a humorous touch to your Fall tablescape, or your beachy kitchen decor, or maybe as a great gift topper for the cooks in your life? You could also use your rope wrapped spoon as a rod to hang a kitchen sign or sorts, use them in multiples for a boho macrame inspired wall hanging, maybe with tassels, or even better, come up with your own great use for this interesting object!

And if you start wrapping the whole house in rope, well, I'd love the see the results! In the mean time, here's how I wrapped my wooden spoon with rope:

October 31, 2017

If you are looking for a quick craft to add some cozy rustic charm to your home, this dear readers might just do the trick. These DIY rope covered apples are so simple to make that you can surely whip up a whole bowl full in an hour or so. Of course if you start calling all your friends to tell them about this great craft you found, well that may just increase your crafting time, so I'd say craft and then tell! Or in this case, Pin, if you would be so kind?

Rope, in this case the thinnest one I could find at my local hardware store, is great for making things that have that rustic feeling I'm craving this fall, and really can be used for so many things. I have made a crocheted rope heart, as well as a knit rope pot holder with this same cotton two ply chord/rope, and it really is exactly the right thickness for wrapping small to medium sized items.